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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is Helena a bit boring?

65 replies

Messalena · 30/11/2018 17:36

What do you think of Helena?

I’d semi forgotten about it but its clean, simple sound really appeals to me (would pronounce with stress on the first syllable, like H Bonham Carter).

Helen is a family name so it appeals from that perspective too.

Our other favourite was/is Apolline, which I realise is a lot more “out there”... What do you think? Is Helena a bit dull in comparison? How about Helena Apolline as a combo, maybe?

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LegoPiecesEverywhere · 01/12/2018 06:29

I like it. I haven’t heard it in long time.

SAHSleeper · 30/11/2018 23:38

I wanted Helena if I had a girl (the same way your pronouncing it), absolutely love it and Helen is my mums middle name but MIL ripped it the shreds said it was an old lady name. Would still have it as a front runner if I have another baby though.

Elphabaisnotwicked · 30/11/2018 23:30

Love Helena! Also like Halina, a bit different but not too out there.

DramaAlpaca · 30/11/2018 23:20

It's a gorgeous name, elegant & classy.

IdblowJonSnow · 30/11/2018 21:44

Helena is a beautiful name. I know an adult Helena and she's one of the nicest women I've ever met. Not sure Appoline would work as a middle name with the two 'a' sounds next to each other? I don't think the pronunciation would be difficult. I think most people would pronounce as helen-a?

Winterwonderland12 · 30/11/2018 21:37

Apolline Kate!

Bellaposy · 30/11/2018 21:35

I have a 2 year old Helena and we've had nothing but lovely comments on her name. Sometimes people pronounce it differently (we pronounce it Helen-a) but it's easily corrected and we like all the pronunciations. We call her Nell or Nellie for short.

Original poster
Messalena · 30/11/2018 21:29

Thanks all!

I only really like the HEL-eh-na pronunciation, dislike both he-LAY-na and he-LEE-na. So I guess that’s a strike against since a lot of these responses cite different pronunciations.

Apolline is pronounced “een” at the end and I love Polly for short so am totally fine with that! I think we’ll probably stick with it but I realise it’s quite a big, unusual name and I hope she won’t resent it. I guess she could be Polly then though.

Decisions decisions! Maybe Apolline Helen then? Our other favourite middle name is Apolline Kate. Which do people prefer?

OP posts:
Sophronia · 30/11/2018 20:34

It’s lovely, one of my favourite names. I like Apolline too.

Winterwonderland12 · 30/11/2018 20:06

Apolline is pronounced Ap ol een

reeny19 · 30/11/2018 19:34

Great name, not boring at all. Don’t like Apolline though, sorry.

MarshaBradyo · 30/11/2018 19:32

Much prefer it to Helen and great with the middle name

wildewillow · 30/11/2018 19:32

Beautiful. I also love it spelt Helaina

MyCatIsAFiend · 30/11/2018 19:27

Beautiful! One of my favourite names. I know one, and she gets a fair amount of mispronunciation, but it's a lovely timeless name in my opinion.

greatpotential · 30/11/2018 19:19

No, it's beautiful!

ThanksItHasPockets · 30/11/2018 18:43

My first guess for Helena would always be HEL-ena.

Does the final syllable of Apolline rhyme with shine, sheen, or shiny?

Pixel99 · 30/11/2018 18:00

It's lovely.

CruCru · 30/11/2018 17:59

I love Helena. However, I would always pronounce it Hel AY Na. Would it annoy you if people did that?

n0ne · 30/11/2018 17:58

Helena Apolline is gorgeous, but I agree with pps about people pronouncing Helena all different ways. If that doesn't bother you, go for it.

IHaveBrilloHair · 30/11/2018 17:58

It's my middle name, I like it.

Trampire · 30/11/2018 17:57

Beautiful. Not at all boring. Don't know any children are called it right now in my experience.

bridgetreilly · 30/11/2018 17:55

Personally, I like Helen much better than Helena. Helen Apolline would be a lovely name.

ScabbyBabby · 30/11/2018 17:54

Graceful! Autocorrect 😩

ScabbyBabby · 30/11/2018 17:53

Helena is beautiful, classy, elegant, gracefully.
Lovely.

kenandbarbie · 30/11/2018 17:53

It's my name! People do pronounce it different ways but after you have corrected them it's fine. I always found it a bit posh and wished for something more commonplace growing up though. I quite like it now.

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